Mary Lou Smith

Mary Lou trained as a nurse at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg and worked on the maternity ward at the University Hospital in Edmonton for several years.

In 1991 she received a Bachelor of Education degree (with distinction) from the University of Calgary. For many years she taught kindergarten at Catherine Nichols Gunn Elementary School in Calgary and in 2004 she received an award from the Early Childhood Education Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, in recognition of her work as an advocate for young children. Following her retirement in 2007, Mary Lou joined the “Helping Hands”, an organization that provides volunteer assistance to various charities in Calgary.

Mary Lou will be greatly missed by her loving husband Bruce; her two children, Christopher (Emese) and Stephanie (Peter Stewart) and her four beautiful grandchildren; Michael, Evelyn, Adelaide and Samuel. She will be lovingly remembered by her three brothers; Michael (Doreen) Kelly, John (Cathy) Kelly and Tim (Elaine) Kelly; her three sisters, Catherine Kelly, Elizabeth (Don) Hoole and Rita (Jeff) Doerr and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary Lou is predeceased by her parents, Pat and Elizabeth Kelly and one sister, Shelagh (Bill) Butterworth.

A Prayer Service for Mary Lou will be held at the South Calgary Funeral Centre, 12700 Macleod Trail South , on Thursday, February 26 at 7:00 PM. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 1600 Acadia Drive SE, on February 27 at 11:00 AM. The service will be followed by a reception at the church in celebration of Mary Lou’s life.

Her family would like to thank the staff of the Intensive Care Unit of the South Health Campus in Calgary for the exceptional care and kindness they provided to Mary Lou during her illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Canadian Liver Foundation (403-276-3390) would be greatly appreciated by her family.